DOCSLIB.ORG

Vernacular Architecture in Michoacán. Constructive Tradition As a Response to the Natural and Cultural Surroundings

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Vernacular Architecture in Michoacán. Constructive Tradition As a Response to the Natural and Cultural Surroundings Athens Journal of Architecture - Volume 2, Issue 4 – Pages 313-326 Vernacular Architecture in Michoacán. Constructive Tradition as a Response to the Natural and Cultural Surroundings By Eugenia Maria Azevedo-Salomao Luis Alberto Torres-Garibay† Various regions of Mexico (i.e., Michoacán) have a tradition in vernacular architecture with an important wealth heritage. Constructing in this way has a notable ecological quality that has benefits for its inhabitants and the natural and cultural surroundings. This work addresses the habitability of vernacular architecture in Michoacán, making the claim that the tradition of construction methods is anchored to the collective memory and the memory of the lived space. Therefore, memories express themselves as the truth of the past based in the present. In this way, the artisans of Michoacán gathered experience from past generations and distinguished themselves by the rational use of primary materials. With direct observation, surveys to users and literature based researches, selected examples of Michoacán are analyzed. The focus is on permanencies and transformations of the vernacular architecture of the region through the observation of social habits, uses, forms, construction, natural surrounding context and significance to society. The conclusion is reached by questioning why there is a gradual loss of vernacular heritage in the region. It is observed that a necessity for its permanence is required as well as the benefits of the implementation of new techniques that contribute to the regeneration of heritage buildings is emphasized. With sustainability in mind the incorporation of vernacular materials and construction methods together with contemporary solutions is also addressed. Introduction Vernacular architecture is the result of the process of collective creation in a geographical and cultural space. It is a communal construction, a special product of the way of life of human groups. These groups make regional materials their own, with local and timeless results that persist through generations with their own techniques, systems and procedures to edify. In the state of Michoacán, Mexico, the physical and geographical diversity of the territory enabled the generation of an ample vernacular architecture and intangible heritage. This region has unique settlements because of its traditions, social organisation, customs and ways of life; always anchored to the physical conditions and local society. The diverse climate characterizes the Michoacán region. Temperatures range from temperate in the Pátzcuaro’s lake basin and Purépecha sierra to Professor, Michoacan University of Saint Nicholas of Hidalgo, Mexico. † Professor, Michoacan University of Saint Nicholas of Hidalgo, Mexico. https://doi.org/10.30958/aja.2-4-4 doi=10.30958/aja.2-4-4 Vol. 2, No. 4 Azevedo-Salomao et al.: Vernacular Architecture in Michoacán.... extremely hot in Tierra Caliente and the coastal region. These diverse environments generate sensible adaptations of the architecture to its surroundings as well as the use of the local natural resources in accordance to the region‟s climate. In the central region of the state, the Purépecha indigenous culture still survives as a culture that maintains strong Mesoamerican ancestry (Figure 1). Figure 1. Mexican Map with the Geographical Localization of Michoacán State Source: Torres Salomao Archive. The purépechas together with other indigenous groups left an impact on the local construction tradition that was adapted to the climate of the location of each settlement. This tradition focused on the search of logical and simple solutions in construction. Differences among the methods of contruction are a function of the characteristics of every region. In this sense, spatial configuration resulted from a construction tradition and way of life that has endured for a long time. The way of inhabiting and constructing imply gradual incidents in the permanence and change regarding the traditional michoacan‟s construction. They require architectonic space understanding as a product of the basic use necessities of the inhabitants with relation to day-to-day activities, aesthetics and materialization of habitable space. In addition, the natural and cultural surroundings are also involved in this equation, producing an ever-evolving cultural product that responds to individual and collective habits. In it, social and natural solutions coincide to satisfy functional and symbolic requirements born from the relationship between the user and space through the passing of time. However, the diverse settlements of the Michoacán region are also vulnerable to transformations which affect their ancestry tradition in construction and put in risk the sustainability of the habitable space. The public 314 Athens Journal of Architecture October 2016 policy is the main detractor of traditional construction and is mainly responsible for the observed transformations in these towns. With the slogan of “a better quality of life” for the indigenous population of Mexico, they have changed and devalued the indigenous values and traditional inhabitation (Figure 2). Figure 2. Food Preparation in the Santa Fe Hospital, Pátzcuaro’s Lake Basin Source: Torres Salomao Archive. This work addresses the idea that with habitable spaces, relationship between the diverse systems is materialized, in other words, the relationship between the environment and our social and cultural life. In this way, the identification and understanding of the dependencies between social, environmental and economic dimensions of habitable spaces allows the assessment of the present well-being. It also allows the assessment of sustainability for the future and preservation of natural and cultural heritage. The Concept of Habitability and Response to Natural and Cultural Surroundings To exemplify the concept of habitability, the purépecha culture is used as a case of study because of the importance they give to the relationship between form of life and the natural surroundings where they live.1 This way of being, as explained by Heidegger, is normally linked to vernacular cultures in which their settlements come from rural tradition with very small variability throughout time. These cultures are respectful of the surrounding nature and are reticent to any kind of change that disagrees with the location.2 1. Paul Levy and Marion Segaud, Antropologie de l´espace [Anthropology of space,] (Paris: Centre George Pompidou, 1983). 2. Martin Heidegger, Conferencias y artículos (incluye: Construir, habitar, pensar) [Conferences and items (includes: Build, live, think),] (Barcelona: Ediciones de Serbal, 1994). 315 Vol. 2, No. 4 Azevedo-Salomao et al.: Vernacular Architecture in Michoacán.... In the purépecha culture inhabitation is mainly outdoors. However, indoor space is also important as a complimentary element of their daily life. Their social practices determine conception and modes of space; likewise, these conceptions and modes of space also determine practice. Through the use of space, the identification of the materialized surroundings traduced into behavioral patterns and special models are achieved. Norberg-Schulz recognises these patters developed by the individuals in their interaction with the environment, and names them, „existential space‟. This existential space reflects the structure of the surrounding environment, in constant regeneration by necessity and desire.3 It is possible to state that social habit and use lasts more than the form and materiality of space. Just as a family is identified to the space that it inhabits, a community is shaped in communal spaces in a settlement. In ancient cultures, elements of nature had a special meaning and, because of this, it is normal that the imaginary of a community remains dependant to an emblematic space loaded with significance. A conclusion can be reached with the idea that habitability is the way in which spaces are adapted for their utility in accordance to the way of life of society. Inhabitation is the purpose of architecture and as such must respond to physical, biological, psychological and cultural necessities of the human being.4 In the case of the Michoacán region during the Mesoamerican period, an outdoor open life was common. Inhabitation was achieved in complete harmony with nature, and this tradition endured to the viceregal period. During this period, despite all changes generated by new ways of inhabitation, exterior space continued as the most important feature for daily activities (Figure 3). The quality of life was an integral concept of open and closed spaces in the relationships of the house. In fact, the interior space is very simple and has only essential utensils and furniture. This space is only thought as a sleeping and as a spiritual space for prayer and is sufficient to ensure these activities. All other human biological, social, recreational and artistic activities of this indigenous group are done in the open space. As stated by Carlos Chanfón, the Mesoamerican space organization mythically joined constructed spaces with natural spaces.5 3. Christian Norberg-Schulz, Existencia, Espacio y Arquitectura [Existence, Space and Architecture,] (Barcelona: Editorial Blume, 1975), 9. 4. Jose Villagran, Estructura teórica del programa arquitectónico [Theoretical structure of the architectural program,] course, (Mexico City: El Colegio Nacional, August 1963), 295. 5. Carlos Chanfon Olmos and his collaborators in the HAYUM project amply developed this topic. 316
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Re-Creating Indigenous Architectural Knowledge in Arctic Canada and Norawy
    Protection of cultural heritage 9 (2020) 10.35784/odk.2085 RE-CREATING INDIGENOUS ARCHITECTURAL KNOWLEDGE IN ARCTIC CANADA AND NORAWY MACKIN Nancy 1 1 dr Nancy Mackin, University of British Columbia and University of Victoria, Canada https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5427-3202 ABSTRACT: Long resident peoples including Gwich’in, Inuvialuit, Copper Inuit, and Sami, Coast Salish and others have learned over countless generations of observation and experimentation to construct place-specific, biomimetic architecture. To learn more about the heritage value of long-resident peoples’ architecture, and to discover how their architecture can selectively inform adaptable architecture of the future. we engaged Inuit and First Nations knowledge-holders and young people in re-creating tradition-based shelters and housing. During the reconstructions, children and Elders alike expressed their enthusiasm and pride in the inventiveness and usefulness of their ancestral architectural wisdom. Several of the structures created during this research are still standing years later and continue to serve as emergency shelters for food harvesters. During extreme weather, the shelters contribute to a potentially widespread network of food harvester dwellings that would facilitate revitalization of traditional foodways. The re-creations indicate that building materials, forms, assembly technologies, and other considerations from the architecture of Indigenous peoples provide a valuable heritage resource for architects of the future. KEY WORDS: Indigenous, Arctic architecture, Inuit architecture, reconstructions, heritage 58 Nancy Mackin 1. Introduction and research questions Tradition-based shelters have always been part of life in the high Arctic, where sudden storms and extreme cold pose serious risks to food harvesters, scientists, and other people out on the land.
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainable Features of Vernacular Architecture: Housing of Eastern Black Sea Region As a Case Study
    arts Article Sustainable Features of Vernacular Architecture: Housing of Eastern Black Sea Region as a Case Study Burcu Salgın 1,*, Ömer F. Bayram 1, Atacan Akgün 1 and Kofi Agyekum 2 1 Department of Architecture, Erciyes University, Kayseri 38030, Turkey; [email protected] (Ö.F.B.); [email protected] (A.A.) 2 Department of Building Technology, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi 233, Ghana; agyekum.kofi[email protected] * Correspondence: [email protected] Received: 22 May 2017; Accepted: 4 August 2017; Published: 17 August 2017 Abstract: The contributions of sustainability to architectural designs are steadily increasing in parallel with developments in technology. Although sustainability seems to be a new concept in today’s architecture, in reality, it is not. This is because, much of sustainable architectural design principles depend on references to vernacular architecture, and there are many examples found in different parts of the world to which architects can refer. When the world seeks for more sustainable buildings, it is acceptable to revisit the past in order to understand sustainable features of vernacular architecture. It is clear that vernacular architecture has a knowledge that matters to be studied and classified from a sustainability point of view. This work aims to demonstrate that vernacular architecture can contribute to improving sustainability in construction. In this sense, the paper evaluates specific vernacular housing in Eastern Black Sea Region in Turkey and their response to nature and ecology. In order to explain this response, field work was carried out and the vernacular architectural accumulation of the region was examined on site.
    [Show full text]
  • Log Cabin Studies: the Rocky Mountain Cabin, Log Cabin Technology and Typology, Log Cabin Bibliography
    Utah State University DigitalCommons@USU U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Forestry Depository) 1984 Log Cabin Studies: The Rocky Mountain Cabin, Log Cabin Technology and Typology, Log Cabin Bibliography United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/govdocs_forest Part of the Architectural Engineering Commons Recommended Citation United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, "Log Cabin Studies: The Rocky Mountain Cabin, Log Cabin Technology and Typology, Log Cabin Bibliography" (1984). Forestry. Paper 4. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/govdocs_forest/4 This Report is brought to you for free and open access by the U.S. Government Documents (Utah Regional Depository) at DigitalCommons@USU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Forestry by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@USU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. 'EB \ L \ga~ United Siaies Department of Agriculture Foresl Serv ic e Intermountain Region • The Rocky Mountain Cabin Ogden, Utah Cull ural Resource • log Cabin Technology and Typology Re~ o rl No 9 LOG CABIN STUDIES By • log Cabin Bibliography Mary Wilson - The Rocky Mountain Cabi n - Log Ca bin Technology and Typology - Log Cabi n Bi b 1i ography CULTURAL RESOURCE REPORT NO. 9 USDA Forest Service Intennountain Region Ogden. Ut ' 19B4 .rr- THE ROCKY IOU NT AIN CA BIN By ' Ia ry l,i 1s on eDITORS NOTES The author is a cultural resource specialist for the Boise National Forest, Idaho . An earlier version of her Rocky Mountain Cabin study was submitted to the university of Idaho as an M.A. thesis . Cover photo : Homestead claim of Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Settler Bush Huts and Indigenous Bark-Strippers: Origins and Influences
    Australian settler bush huts and Indigenous bark-strippers: Origins and influences Ray Kerkhove and Cathy Keys [email protected], [email protected] Abstract This article considers the history of the Australian bush hut and its common building material: bark sheeting. It compares this with traditional Aboriginal bark sheeting and cladding, and considers the role of Aboriginal ‘bark strippers’ and Aboriginal builders in establishing salient features of the bush hut. The main focus is the Queensland region up to the 1870s. Introduction For over a century, studies of vernacular architectures in Australia prioritised European high-style colonial vernacular traditions.1 Critical analyses of early Australian colonial vernacular architecture, such as the bush or bark huts of early settlers, were scarce.2 It was assumed Indigenous influences on any European-Australian architecture could not have been consequential.3 This mirrored the global tendency of architectural research, focusing on Western tradi- tions and overlooking Indigenous contributions.4 Over the last two decades, greater appreciation for Australian Indigenous archi- tectures has arisen, especially through Paul Memmott’s ground-breaking Gunyah, Goondie and Wurley: The Indigenous Architecture of Australia (2007). This was recently enhanced by Our Voices: Indigeneity and Architecture (2018) and the Handbook of Indigenous Architecture (2018). The latter volumes located architec- tural expressions of Indigenous identity within broader international movements.5 Despite growing interest in the crossover of Australian Indigenous architectural expertise into early colonial vernacular architectures,6 consideration of intercultural architectural exchange remains limited.7 This article focuses on the early settler Australian bush hut – specifically its widespread use of bark sheets as cladding.
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainability Lessons Learnt from Traditional Architecture: a Case Study of the Old City of As-Salt, Jordan
    IOSR Journal Of Environmental Science, Toxicology And Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT) e-ISSN: 2319-2402,p- ISSN: 2319-2399. Volume 5, Issue 3 (Jul. - Aug. 2013), PP 100-109 www.Iosrjournals.Org Sustainability lessons learnt from traditional architecture: a case study of the old city of As-Salt, Jordan Rana Tawfiq Almatarneh Assistant professor at The School of Architecture and Design Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman- Jordan Abstract: Architecture is the art and science of designing which involves the manipulation of space, materials, program and other elements in order to achieve an end which is aesthetic, functional and sustainable. In the past, when the building envelope was the main element man used to protect himself from a harsh climate, he had to depend on passive energy which involves the use of natural energy sources for environmental, healthy, and economical reasons in our buildings. Traditional architecture, in Jordan, represents a living witness for the suitability of this architecture to the local environment, which incorporated the essence of sustainable architecture. The current study is aimed at investigating the elements of sustainability within the Jordanian traditional buildings based on the Jordan GBI rating key criteria, including: Energy Efficiency, indoor Environmental Quality, sustainable Site Planning and Management, material and Resources, water Efficiency, and innovation. Various typologies of six historical cases (i.e., Abu Jaber, Mouasher, Sukkar, Khatib, Toukan, and Qaqish buildings) in the old city of As-Salt were selected for this study, from a more comprehensive analysis. Findings of the study indicate uniqueness of the overall traditional As-Salt's architecture parallel with the current issues on sustainability.
    [Show full text]
  • Building Traditions and Types
    Building Traditions and Types his guide is an introduction to some of These kinds of buildings are often called the most significant building types and vernacular architecture to distinguish them from T traditions employed during the past 150 architect-designed buildings. They are the years of Manitoba’s history. There are two other building forms and construction methods which sections—a guide to architectural styles and a evolved as generations of people constructed glossary of architectural terms—that constitute a buildings to meet their everyday needs. Their complete set for reference. overall form and the general expression of the details are shaped by local climate, topography Building Traditions and Types introduces and the limits of available materials. The building traditions and building types that subtlety of plan and detail are often prescribed comprise much of the remaining stock of 19th by religious or cultural requirements. The and 20th century architecture in Manitoba. There richness of these buildings can be most is only now a growing appreciation for this kind forcefully read in the exceptional craftsmanship of architecture and this section of the guide is often employed in the details. only a brief introduction to this very important aspect of the province’s past. Further study will The vernacular architecture for houses and foster greater understanding of each tradition or churches of other major settlement groups— type. The eight building traditions featured here Anglo-Ontario and Franco-Manitoban include: especially—is reflected in the architectural styles that tended to define those groups: Gothic Aboriginal Structures Revival for Anglo-Ontarians and Second Empire Red River Frame Structures and Romanesque for Franco-Manitobans.
    [Show full text]
  • 'Dwelling' As a Political Form
    —MPAVILION/ART MONTHLY ESSAY— ‘Dwelling’ as a political form Architecture and memory in the practice of Archie Moore Tess Maunder, Brisbane Archie Moore, A Home Away from Home (Bennelong/Vera’s Hut), 2016, installation view, 20th Biennale of Sydney, Royal Botanic Garden, 2016; mixed-media installation, 433.2 x 345 x 258.4cm; made with assistance from Neil Hobbs and Karina Harris, and Kevin O’Brien; image courtesy the artist and The Commercial Gallery, Sydney; photo: Wendell Teodoro 64 65 To dwell on an idea means to linger with it, to consider it, to chitecture as an apparatus in support of the state and furthered ponder on it for a prolonged duration. It can also mean to physi- the artist’s inquiry into communicating an Aboriginal experience cally stay still in one place and reimagine the various potentiali- of colonisation through a particular focus on Queensland policy. ties it could offer. The practice of dwelling is conventionally seen In mid-1981, then-Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen as a moment of quietness, reprieve and thoughtfulness; however, argued against a World Council of Churches investigation into in some cases it can also be staged as an avenue of protest, anger Aboriginal living conditions, saying that Aboriginal Australians and resilience. ‘lived in clover’ and ‘paradise’ compared to the plight of others A Brisbane-based Indigenous artist aligned with the Kami- within the delegation. Here Moore’s use of architecture refers to laroi language group, Archie Moore’s artistic practice is one that a stereotype of vernacular Aboriginal dwellings, and thus Bjelke- takes the idea of dwelling as both a method of creative process Petersen’s remarks.
    [Show full text]
  • Volume 30, Issue 1
    Fall 2012 www.canadianarchaeology.com Volume 30, Issue 1 1 Hello everyone, and welcome to the Fall issue of the And last but certainly not least, those who finished CAA’s Newsletter. I hope that everyone who was out Masters or PhDs this year are listed in Newly in the field this year had a safe and productive season, Minted 2011-2012. Congratulations to everyone!! with fingers crossed that those still there have a few more days of good weather before too much snow Karen Ryan arrives! [email protected] It’s been an eventful several months for archaeology in Canada, and I hope everyone is aware that the CAA has two Facebook pages where they can share and follow news, offer opinions and advice, and generally British Columbia keep in touch with those working near and far. The http://www.asbc.bc.ca/ CAA “group” site now has almost 650 members, while the CAA “community” has more news for and about Alberta its members. Check them out! http://www.albertaheritage.net/directory/archaeolog This issue of the Newsletter has a range of submissions ical_society.html – messages from William Ross, Jennifer Birch, and the Saskatchewan organizers of the 46th annual CAA conference (in gorgeous Whistler, BC!). There are two contributions http://canoesaskatchewan.rkc.ca/arch/sasadd.htm from the Canadian Museum of Civilization: the first is an update on the ongoing construction in the Manitoba archaeology collections by Stacey Girling-Christie, http://www.manitobaarchaeologicalsociety.ca/ while Lucie Johanis discusses the challenges of developing and maintaining a bilingual archaeological Ontario sites database in the face of increasingly varied terminology.
    [Show full text]
  • Discussion on the Vernacular Architecture Construction in The
    5th International Conference on Civil Engineering and Transportation (ICCET 2015) Discussion on the Vernacular Architecture Construction in the View of Architectural Typology Bing Li 1, a , Wenbin Liu 1, b 1Jilin Jianzhu University a [email protected] , b [email protected] KEY WORDS：Vernacular Architecture；Architectural Typology；Build Abstract. There is a certain kind of solid-state balance among individual buildings that within the same Vernacular architecture. Not all the understandings of it has formed the most common specifications and planning textbooks in current architecture, instead, some manifest as silent and hidden constructing principles of clustering methods and building process. Considering the elements of terrain, climate, environment, etc, into its constructing principles, Vernacular architecture as well as its comprehensive thoughts and building techniques should be treated as many an archetype that may be transformed and analogized to building system of contemporary Vernacular architecture. In this way, the Vernacular architecture can get real extension. This article attempts to take a new review of construct tactics of Vernacular architecture from the perspective of building typology and therefore takes it to an instructive theoretical level. Introduction Vernacular architecture development is a dynamic process; each era has its corresponding vernacular architecture. The past studies of vernacular architecture form mostly confined to the historical point of view and generally attached great importance to the most basic project studies which including but not limited to conducting massive surveys, collecting historical data and mapping. As a consequence, a large number of valuable data and experience was accumulated and turned into the essential conditions of research on vernacular architecture form.
    [Show full text]
  • Sustainability Lessons from Vernacular Architecture in Frei Otto's Work: Tents and Gridshells
    The International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Volume XLIV-M-1-2020, 2020 HERITAGE2020 (3DPast | RISK-Terra) International Conference, 9–12 September 2020, Valencia, Spain SUSTAINABILITY LESSONS FROM VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE IN FREI OTTO'S WORK: TENTS AND GRIDSHELLS J. M. Songel 1, * 1 Research Centre PEGASO, Universitat Politècnica de València, Valencia, Spain - [email protected] Commission II - WG II/8 KEY WORDS: Frei Otto, Tents, Yurts, Gridshells, Light Structures, Sustainability, Vernacular Architecture ABSTRACT: Frei Otto is usually linked in the historiography of modern architecture to the German Pavilion for the Montreal Expo and the Olympic Stadium in Munich, a couple of works that have typically been regarded as predecessors of High-Tech architecture. But his contribution to architecture goes far beyond these worldwide famous works and can better be traced in his rich experience at the Institute for Lightweight Structures in Stuttgart, as an insightful observer of natural and man-made objects and as an investigator of the relationship between form, force and mass. He has developed new types of structures which often refer to primitive building types and can therefore be easily found in vernacular architecture: tents, nets, gridshells, branching constructions, folding roofs, umbrellas, as well as pneumatic and suspended constructions. All of them are the outcome of a very thorough process of investigation at his institute, which usually also included a survey of these building types in vernacular architecture. The target of this paper is to explore this relationship, and to test whether the strive for lightness can be regarded as a common ground between vernacular architecture and Frei Otto's work.
    [Show full text]
  • Learning from Vernacular Architecture: Sustainability and Cultural Conformity
    Eco-Architecture II 3 Learning from vernacular architecture: sustainability and cultural conformity B. A. Kazimee School of Architecture & Construction Management, Washington State University, USA Abstract The paper will illustrate the identification of principles that will provide important insights and lessons for those that are involved in the development of future sustainable built environments. Using a case study of vernacular architecture of Nuristan located in the NE region of Afghanistan with unique geographical and cultural significant, this paper will seek to demonstrate the principles of vernacular design and technologies such as the sustainable performance of dwelling and settlements common in this region. The value of compact townscape and land-use economy, self-help and participatory housing approaches, conservation, and others that help protect the natural environment as well as enrich the cultural heritage will be presented. Keywords: vernacular design, user participation, cultural heritage, local technology and materials, conservation and density. 1 Introduction In a period of sumptuous progress and technological advancement that dominates every aspect of our lives, it may be unfashionable, to regress back in time and place and attend ourselves to the cause of vernacular building practices. And yet vernacular architecture represents more than a nostalgic longing for things and ways that have essentially become obsolete, but rather a learning method by which new global challenges can be addressed, challenges such as global warming, housing crises, and economic equality. In his work, Kenneth Frampton made a similar observation, pointing out that the importance of vernacular architecture need not be limited to sentimental regionalism but, when thoroughly analyzed, should yield to responses that are at once balanced and WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, Vol 113, © 2008 WIT Press www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3541 (on-line) doi:10.2495/ARC080011 4 Eco-Architecture II current [1].
    [Show full text]
  • Autonomous Lightweight Houses: Learning from Yurts
    PLEA2006 - The 23rd Conference on Passive and Low Energy Architecture, Geneva, Switzerland, 6-8 September 2006 Autonomous Lightweight Houses: Learning from Yurts Katarina Mrkonjic Universitat Politecnica de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain ABSTRACT: The paper investigates the possibilities and limitations of the interpretation and interpolation of the traditional architectural principles into the contemporary architecture, in order of achieving a higher level of sustainability and autonomy. It is based on a comparison between a traditional and a twentieth century house. Yurt, traditional nomad tent from the Central Asia responds to many sustainability criteria set for a sustainable house such as natural cooling and ventilation, dematerialization, maximum volume enclosed by the minimum surface, use of innocuous materials, minimum disturbance of the terrain, use of local materials. The Dymaxion House (designed by R. B. Fuller between 1927 and 1946) bares numerous resemblances with yurts, i.e. the form, volumes/surface ratio, ventilation system, etc. On the other hand, it was designed as an entirely industrially produced artefact, implying the use of different kind of materials (mainly of them recyclable metals), etc. The traditional principles can be successfully applied in the new buildings in order to make them more energetically efficient and effective, but some adjustments are needed to be done in order to integrate them in the contemporary building processes and uses. Keywords: yurt, design principles, sustainable and autonomous house 1. INTRODUCTION transport and the growing network of highways improved the accessibility to the new areas. Autonomy and lightness are characteristics of The situation of emergency, and scarcity of both the transportable dwellings in general.
    [Show full text]